Bill would OK clearing criminal prostitution records

OLYMPIA — The House has passed a bill that would allow those convicted of prostitution who committed the offense as the result of being trafficked to clear their records in Washington state.

The measure passed on a 94-1 vote Monday. It previously passed the House last year but did not make progress in the Senate.

House Bill 1292 would let a victim of trafficking, promoting prostitution in the first degree or commercial sex abuse of a minor to vacate the record of a related prostitution conviction regardless of pending prostitution charges, subsequent prostitution convictions or if other prostitution conviction records have been vacated.

A Seattle Police Department representative said previously that the department has no doubt that those convicted are victims and that they have no qualms about allowing them to clear their records.